Occupational Certificates: Building Skills for the World of Work

Choosing what to do after GCSEs isn't about finding one route that everyone should follow. Everyone learns differently, and the best next step depends on what you want to achieve.

Earlier this year, the government provided more details on its curriculum reforms, introducing two new options for students studying at Level 2.

From September 2027, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates will offer two different routes, each with a clear destination. Foundation Certificates are designed to prepare you for further study, while Occupational Certificates focus on developing the skills you need to move into a particular job or apprenticeship.

Whether you're planning on studying for a few years or want to get hands-on and start building skills for work, these qualifications are designed to help you take your next step.

What are Occupational Certificates?

Occupational Certificates are two-year qualifications designed to give you the practical skills and knowledge needed for specific jobs, helping you prepare for employment or an apprenticeship after college.

Over the two years, you'll build a strong understanding of your chosen industry and develop hands-on skills that meet real employer expectations. You'll also have time to work towards your GCSE English and maths if you need to.

They're a great option if you have an idea of the career you'd like to pursue and want to develop the skills, experience and confidence to take your next step into the workplace.

What subjects will be available?

The first Occupational Certificates planned for September 2027 are:

• Early Years Practitioner
• Culinary Skills
• Hospitality

Further subjects are expected to follow in future years.

Learning for what comes next

Occupational Certificates are designed to connect learning directly with the requirements of particular jobs.

Alongside subject knowledge and practical skills, you'll have the chance to develop your English and maths, employability and personal development. The aim is to help prepare you for what comes after college, whether that's entering skilled employment or progressing to an apprenticeship.

For example, if you enjoy talking to people, love being ‘the host’ and get excited by events then an Occupational Certificate in Hospitality or Culinary Skills could help you develop practical experience and the skills tourism and hospitality employers are looking for - giving you a path into exciting jobs.

It's about developing skills you can put into practice and preparing for a specific destination.

How do they fit into the wider picture?

Occupational Certificates are one part of the curriculum changes coming into effect in September 2027.

You may have heard about V-Levels, a new vocational Level 3 qualification that can be studied alongside A-Levels as part of a mixed programme. Alongside Occupational Certificates at Level 2 are Foundation Certificates. They will offer a different route for students who want to build their knowledge, skills and confidence before progressing to further study.

The key difference is where each qualification is designed to take you:

• Foundation Certificates: Designed to prepare you for further study, including A-Levels, V-Levels or T-Levels.
• Occupational Certificates: Designed to prepare you for skilled employment or an apprenticeship.

For example, if you're interested in a career in IT but want to continue studying before choosing a specialism, a Foundation Certificate in Digital Systems and Data could help you progress to a Level 3 qualification. If you already know you'd like to work in hospitality and want to develop practical skills for the industry, an Occupational Certificate could offer a more direct route towards employment or an apprenticeship.

Find your place

You don't have to follow the same path as your friends, and you don't need to have your whole career planned out at 16.

The important thing is thinking about what you'd like to do next. If you want to continue studying and progress to a higher-level qualification, a Foundation Certificate could be the right starting point. If you'd prefer to get stuck in, develop practical skills and work towards a particular job, an Occupational Certificate could help you get there.

There are different ways to move forward. The important thing is finding the route that's right for you.